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8
| Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle | www.mn.catholic.org.au
YOUTH CASE WORKER with CatholicCare's
Social Services team, Berias Masseque,
pictured, never thought he'd have a welding
qualification to his name. But when a
cross-organisational initiative was born that
aims to get the young clients he mentors
involved in further education and training,
Berias jumped at the chance to be involved.
"Based on where I grew up in Africa, where
opportunities for education are very scarce,
I'm so excited to be part of the class,"
Berias said.
After realising he'd be accompanying his
clients to lessons over the duration of
the Introduction to Metal and Engineering
Trades course, Berias decided to enrol
as well.
"I personally believe that education is the
key to everything," he said. "The more
skills you can have, the more valuable you
can be in society."
Held at Glendale TAFE, the course gives
young people an opportunity to re-engage
with education, link with services available
in the community and make contact with
potential employers.
CatholicCare's Teona Williams, Connect
200 Project Officer, alongside CatholicCare
staff Mark Noble and Louise Rak, worked
with the TAFE Outreach program to arrange
the course.
"Many of the participants would not have
been able to access, or been accepted into,
mainstream TAFE," Teona said.
"TAFE Outreach, however, is targeted towards
disadvantaged learners and this course
gives our participants safety gear, hands on
training with the equipment and importantly,
certification for the units they complete
which will be recognised if they decide to
enrol in a full-time course at TAFE or start
an apprenticeship."
A selection of CatholicCare's Youth Services
clients is involved in the course, with
representation from the Stepping Out,
Impact and SIL (Supported Independent
Living) programs. These young people
have faced a number of challenges, such
as intellectual disability, incarceration and
placement in foster care, that have created
significant barriers to their completion of
further education and training.
SIL Casework Manager Louise can see
many benefits for the young people,
including an increase in skills, self esteem
and the potential for future employment;
benefits also noted by Berias.
"Courses such as this are vital," Berias said.
"They allow young people to start becoming
the owners of their own history and provide
a sense of being connected to the larger
community where they may otherwise
feel disengaged."
Mark, Stepping Out Casework Manager,
hopes that participation in the course will
encourage his clients to try new things in the
future that are outside their comfort zones.
"For me," he said. "The biggest thing that the
clients will learn is that they are very capable
and have the skills to complete these
courses which, in turn, will increase their
self confidence."
For more information about the Youth,
Community and Disability services offered by
CatholicCare, please P 4979 1307 or visit
www.catholiccare.org.au
EDUCATION
against the odds
Education By LIZ NILAND
ADAY OF fun-filled activities at Corpus
Christi (Body of Christ) Primary at
Waratah led to the magnificent sum of over
$1600 being raised for the Queensland
Flood Appeal.
"For several weeks before the event, staff
encouraged students to take action at
home by helping others and asking for
some reward to bring to our fundraising day,"
says principal Karen Forbes.
Prayers led by student leaders were first
on the day's agenda, and fundraisers
included face painting, guessing
how-many-lollies in-the-jar, sponge
throwing, playground art and of course,
the obligatory cake stall. Paying for the
privilege of coming out of uniform helped
the cause, and when coin lines were
formed, it was Year 5 who won ten minutes
extra play time.
Raising fun
and funds
at Waratah
ABOVE:
Declan, Luke
and Harrison
enjoying the day.
Soccer goals proved popular.